On tap at Bell's Eccentric Cafe, review transcribed from notes. This is NOT the same beer as "Third Coast Old Ale"... Apparently this was a special, brewery only old ale release. Pours a deep, deep amber and ruby red clash of colors, murky, cloudy, and almost completely opaque save for the translucent edges. The eggshell head is fine, thin, and appears pretty creamy.

The aroma brings forth many traditional barleywine/old-ale notes; raisins, figs, and dates that have been soaking and drenched in a booze bath. Strong alcohol presence, almost resembling a heavy wine or brandy. Mildly fusel and hot on the nose. Lots of toasted caramel and toffee, not quite reaching "molasses" level. No doubt that this beer is an unabashed malt bomb with lots of alcohol and lots of sweetness - that's, that's what the aroma would indicate. Hops? Nah. At least, I'm not picking up on any.

Sure as shit, this stuff is potent. A heavy alcohol presence parades over your palate from the first sip - heavy wine and brandy with an unavoidable heat. And it only gets stronger as it warms. The beer is sweet, too, but I think some of that is cut but the booze. Lots of sweeter grape-like flavors, more than I picked up on in the aroma. Boozy raisins and plums are present, as well. The sea of malt ties everything together - smooth and savory amounts of sweet caramel, toffee, and butter. Mild astringency on the tail end, along with a slight bitterness, but still nothing that really resembles hops. Medium mouth feel, thinner than expected for the style and ABV, low carbonation, slick, sticky, oily.

Glad I got to try this one while it was available at Eccentric. It's strong - and even seems stronger than the 10% ABV it's labeled as. When this boy reaches room temp, it gets HOT. Still pretty decent all around, but be prepared to sip. I liked Third Coast much better than this.

Damn. On tap at Mason Lounge, Madison, this is an arresting cross between huge and mellow. Aroma of a barley wine, bitterness of a confident malt bomb. Syrupy mouthfeel. Massive, permanent lacing. So great to find this on tap at the end of a long night. Alcohol pretty well hidden. But if i were to have another at its 10%, I think I'd keel over.

T - A big boozy wall of raisons and butter brandy. Effervesence sits on the tongue and drifts up the nasal passage in waves of phenol alcohol. Lots of oak tannin woodiness, wet blanket, and lingering piney bitterness. Lingering bitterness is what I would call "exceptional".

M - Could be thicker, light medium body for this particular style.

O - Would enjoy this beer more if it were thicker, may be better if it were laid down for a few years. (?)

Pours a pale amber color with a slight white head. A spot of two of lacing and a thin collar throughout. The nose brings a good dosing of caramel and some light fruits to go atop sweet bready malt. Light cherry. The flavor is fairly sweet with a good amount of caramel, though most of the malt flavor is just plain sugary bread. Some booze and cherry there as well. Medium body with low carbonation and a good amount of booze. Maybe this was too fresh, but it's not nearly as good as Third Coast Old Ale, in my opinion.

T: The smell comes through in the taste with added molasses, brown sugar and old dried fruits. Lots of "welch's Grape" kinds of sweetness and fruitiness, though it's also got a nice savory side with the prune and plum notes.

M: A little more carbonated than I'd like but it has a nice full body and semi viscous feel without too much heat surprisingly.